The Vama Marga literally means "left hand path". This was the term used in the "Hindu" tantras for the forms of initiation that used all elements of life to propel the initiate towards enlightenment. Vama Marga practices involved transgressing cultural taboo and the use of sex magic. The term left hand path supposedly originates with this tradition for at least 2 reasons:
1. The Shakti (female embodiment of the Goddess) would sit to the left of the male practioner in Vama Marga Workings.
2. The energy channels in the body that carry the feminine engeries 9the Dark energies) were thought to be located on the left hand side of the body.
--I would speculate that a third reason could be that the left hand is seen as unclean in the East and hence the use of this left hand would be the breaking of a taboo--
If you are interested in the LHP aspects of Buddhism you should investigate the Vajrayana schools...particularly the Kagyu and Nyingmapa sects. You really have to dig down to get past the surface levels though. I would recommend looking into the practice known as "Phowa". This is a form of meditation/initiation that works towards the ultimate end of the individual consciousness existing beyond phyiscal death.
A good source on Vama Marga would be:
Amazon.com: AGHORA, At the Left Hand of God (Aghora) (v. I) (9780914732211): Robert E. Svoboda: Books
I would also highly recommend:
Amazon.com: Demons of the Flesh: The Complete Guide to Left-Hand Path Sex Magic…
The first book deals with the Vama Marga from the "Hindu" tradition. The second book is a broad overview of LHP ideas and practices in both "Hindu" and Buddhist traditions as well as the Western manifestations.
Good Luck!
